Peach tree named ‘Flat Delight One’

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘Flat Delight One’. This new variety, which requires 450-500 chilling units of dormancy, is a low-acid, flat (pantao) peach tree of early season maturity, which produces white-fleshed fruit that are firm, attractively colored, and suitable for the local fresh fruit market and home garden use.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunuspersica.

Variety denomination: ‘Flat Delight One’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to peach trees referred to as a variety of Prunuspersica named ‘Flat Delight One’ ‘Flat Delight One’, which requires450-500 chilling units of dormancy, produces an high quality, firmclingstone, low-acid, white-fleshed pantao peach that matures earlymid-season.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Flat Delight One’ peach is characterized as to novelty by producingflat shaped, low acid, white-fleshed fruit that ripens in the earlymid-season; is considered high quality; and which is firm and has anattractive coloration. In this regard, the present variety of peach treebears fruit that are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment in midto late May, 4-7 days after ‘TexKing’ (Byrne and Bacon, U.S. Plant Pat,No. 14,627) and with the medium chill peach ‘June Gold’ (Brooks, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 1,884) in the medium chill zone of Texas.

Origin of the Variety

The present peach tree was the result of an ongoing Stone Fruit BreedingProgram of Texas A & M University, College Station, Brazos County, Tex.To this end, both controlled and hybrid crosses are made each year inorder to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies areevaluated and selected.

‘Flat Delight One’ (selection name, TX3C395LWP) was discovered at theTexas A & M University Horticultural Farm in College Station, Tex. in2010, and was chosen from a population of seedlings that resulted fromseed from a cross between the low chill peach ‘TexFirst’, the femaleparent, clingstone yellow-fleshed peach (Byrne and Anderson, U.S. PlantPat. No. 26,119) and unreleased selection P1, a white-fleshed pantaopeach of unknown origin (Ruijuan Ma, personal communication) that ripensmid to late July in Nanjing, China and requires 700 chilling units ofdormancy. Resulting seed from this cross were planted in 2007 at theTexas A & M University Horticultural Farm in College Station, Tex.TX3C395LWP was propagated by budding on Nemaguard rootstock and plantedin three sites in Texas for further evaluation (Floresville, CollegeStation, Fairfield). Two-year and older trees of the variety weresubsequently evaluated during the 2012 and 2013 fruit growing seasons inTexas (Floresville, College Station and Fairfield).

Asexual Reproduction of the Variety

‘Flat Delight One’ was bud grafted onto virus-free Nemaguard (Brooks andOlmo 1997) peach rootstock in June 2010 at the nursery site in Oakdale,Calif. The variety was subsequently planted at the three experimentalorchards in Texas (College Station, Floresville, and Fairfield). Fruitfrom the resulting propagation has been evaluated during the period from2012 to 2013 fruit seasons. This evaluation clearly demonstrated thatthe re-propagated trees were true to the characteristics of the originalseedling in all observable aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of peach tree is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawings and depicts the plant by the best possible colorrepresentation using color photography, wherein:

FIG. 1. Fruit of ‘Flat Delight One’ showing red skin coloration of thiswhite-fleshed pantao peach on a tree. The fruit was produced on a treein the experimental orchard in College Station, Tex.

FIG. 2. Color photograph of a ripe ‘Flat Delight One’ fruit showinground shape with a sealed tip and external coloring. The fruit washarvested in the research plots in College Station, Tex.

FIG. 3. Color photographs of the endocarp of ‘Flat Delight One’. Theruler is demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 4. A stem showing the leaves of the ‘Flat Delight One’ peach. Theruler is demarcated in millimeters.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the experimental orchards in themedium chill zone of Texas. All major color code designations are byreference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (2001 Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Colors are approximate ascolor depends on horticultural practices such as light level andfertilization rate, among others.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally average to above average as compared to            other common peach cultivars. Observations were done on            trees that were three years old.        -   Height.—8 feet (2.44 m) at the end of the 2013 growing            season on three year old trees.        -   Width.—10 feet (3.05 m) at the end of the 2013 growing            season on three year old trees.        -   Vigor.—High.        -   Density.—Medium to high.        -   Productivity.—Productive. The tree sets an excess of fruit            and needs thinning to adjust the fruit load to an            appropriate commercial level.        -   Shape.—The trees are vigorous with the typical            semi-spreading growth habit similar to ‘TexKing’ (U.S. Plant            Pat. No. 14,627), ‘TexPrince’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,629),            and ‘TexRoyal’ (not patented, Byrne and Bacon, 1991).        -   Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new            variety was approximately 3.3 to 3.5 feet (1.01-1.07 m).        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under            typical conditions experienced in the medium chill zone of            central Texas (College Station, Fairfield, Terrell, USDA            Hardiness Zones 8a and 8b) and in central San Joaquin Valley            in California (USDA Hardiness Zone 9b).-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 4.75 inches (12.07 cm) in diameter and            15.75 inches (40.01 cm) in circumference when measured at a            distance of approximately 8 inches (20.32 cm) above the soil            level, at the end of the 2013 growing season on a three-year            old tree.        -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous            folds of papery scarf-like skin being present.        -   Bark coloration.—Variable, colors present are 166A of the            Greyed-Orange Group and N200B-D of the Brown Group.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.        -   Thickness.—Average (about 6.0-9.5 cm in diameter as measured            10 cm from the trunk on a three-year old tree) as compared            to other varieties.        -   Surface texture.—Average and appearing furrowed on wood that            is several years old.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The            lenticels range in size from approximately 6.0 to 8.0 mm in            width and were approximately 1.0-2.0 mm in height.        -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially            glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.5 to 3.0 cm as measured in            the middle of a current season stem.        -   Color of mature branches.—The predominant colors are 165A,            166A-B and 177A of the Greyed-Orange Group, N199C of the            Grey-Brown Group, and 200B-D and N200C of the Brown Group.        -   Current season shoots.—Color — Light green (144B-C, N144D            and 145B of the Yellow-Green Group). The color of new shoot            tips is considered a bright and shiny green (mainly the            Yellow-Green Groups 144D and 145B).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to moderately large for the species.            Leaf measurements have been taken from vigorous upright            current season growth approximately at mid-shoot.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 131 to 173 mm.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 30 to 37 mm.        -   Leaf thickness.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf upper surface color.—Green, approximately 137A-C of the            Green Group.        -   Leaf lower surface color.—Green, approximately 137B-C and            147B of the Yellow-Green Group.        -   Leaf mid-vein color.—Light green, approximately 145C-D and            149D of the Yellow- Green Group.        -   Leaf margins.—Form — Considered crenate/crenulate.            Uniformity — Considered generally uniform.        -   Leaf petioles.—Size — Considered medium long. Length —            Approximately 9 to 12 mm. Thickness — Approximately 1 to            2 mm. Color — Pale green (145C-D and 149D of the            Yellow-Green Group).        -   Leaf glands.—Size — Approximately 1 mm in height and width.            Number — Generally 0-2 per leaf. Type — Reniform. Color —            Brown, approximately 165A, 166A and 177A of the            Greyed-Orange Groups, plus N199B of the Grey-Brown Group and            200C-D of the Brown Group.        -   Leaf stipules.—Size — Medium to large for the variety.            Length — Approximately 6 to 9 mm. Form — Lanceolate. Color —            The green stipules are early deciduous. Ratio of wood (leaf)            buds to flowering buds — 1 to 2 flower buds per vegetative            bud.-   Flowers:    -   -   Floral buds.—General — The floral buds are considered to be            medium to medium large in size, conic in form, and slightly            appressed relative to the bearing shoot. Color — The bud            scales are maroon with green, (approximately Greyed-Yellow            Group 160B and Greyed-Purple Groups N186C and 187A-B). The            buds are considered hardy under typical conditions found in            the medium chill zone of Texas and the central San Joaquin            Valley, Calif. Length — Approximately 5 to 8 mm. Blooming            Type — Considered relatively early in relation to other            peach cultivars grown in the medium chill zone of Texas.            Date of full bloom was between February 15th and February            28th during the period between 2011 and 2013. The average            bloom was February 23rd during this time period 10-14 days            before ‘June Gold’ (Brooks, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,884) and            with or a few days after the medium chill peach ‘TexKing’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,627).        -   Flower type.—Showy.        -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately            30 to 35 mm.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 per node.        -   Petal size.—General — Considered medium large to large for            the species. Width — Approximately 15 to 18 mm. Length —            Approximately 20 to 22 mm.        -   Petal form.—Broadly ovate.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal color.—Medium pink when young (Red-Purple Groups            N57C-D and 62B-C), becoming darker near the petal claw.        -   Petal claw.—Form — The claw is considered truncate in shape            and has a medium-large size when compared to other            varieties. Length — Approximately 2 to 3 mm. Width —            Approximately 1 mm.        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly            smooth to slightly undulate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices appear emarginate.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length — Considered medium in length with an            average length of approximately 2 to 3 mm. Thickness —            Considered average, approximately 1 mm. Color — A light            green (Green Group 142A-B and Yellow-Green Groups 144B-C and            149B-C).        -   Floral nectaries.—Color — The floral nectaries are yellow in            color (Green Yellow Group 1A and Yellow Group 3A-B).        -   Hypanthium.—Surface Texture — Generally glabrous. Color — A            purple-red (approximately Red-Purple Groups 61A and 64A-B).        -   Sepals.—Surface Texture — The surface has a short, fine,            wooly and a gray-colored texture. Size — Average, and ovate            in form. Color — A dull green with red (approximately            Yellow-Green Groups 144A, 146C- D and Orange-Red Group            N34A).        -   Anthers.—General — Average in size for the species. Color —            Yellow-orange (approximately Yellow Group 13A-B,            Yellow-Orange Group 15B-C and Orange Group N25A). Pollen            Production — Pollen is abundant, and is a golden-yellow            color (approximately Yellow Group 13A-B and Yellow-Orange            Group 14C).        -   Filaments.—Size — Variable in length, approximately 16 to 23            mm, with the filaments slightly longer than the pistil.            Color — White (approximately Green-White Group 157D,            Yellow-White Group 158D and Orange-White Group 159D) and            darkening with advanced maturity.        -   Pistil.—General — Average in size, but slightly shorter,            relative to the general anther height, overall. Length —            Approximately 12 to 15 mm, including the ovary. Color —            Considered a very light yellow-green when young            (approximately Yellow-Green Groups 145C-D, 149D and 150D),            and becoming slightly darker with advancing senescence.            Surface Texture — The variety has a short, silver white            pubescent pistil and ovary (approximately White Group 155A-C            and Green-White Group 157D).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—The present variety of fruit is            described, as it would be found in its firm ripe condition            at full commercial maturity. Under the ecological conditions            prevailing in the medium chill of Texas this cultivar is            picked from Mid to late May depending on the year and the            site of the orchard. The average time of harvest for            Fairfield, Tex. was May 23rd which was with ‘June Gold’.        -   Size.—General — Medium to medium large for the season and            considered uniform.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 67 to 71 mm.        -   Average suture diameter.—Approximately 65 to 69 mm.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 34 to 39 mm.        -   Fruit form.—Generally considered flat with equal halves.            Occasionally the fruit exhibits less symmetry when comparing            the suture height with the line opposite the suture. The            fruit is generally uniform in symmetry when viewed from the            apical aspect.        -   Fruit suture.—Generally, the suture appears as a thin, dark            line that extends from the base to the apex, and appears            deeper at the apex, forming a shallow basin at the apical            point. Some stitching exists along the suture line. Color —            Red, approximately 42A of the Red Group. Ventral Surface —            Form — Considered depressed.        -   Stem cavity.—Size — Considered moderately shallow for the            species. Width — Approximately 8 to 9 mm. Length —            Approximately 12 to 15 mm. Depth — Approximately 6 to 8 mm.            Form — Considered variable from round to flat.        -   Fruit base.—Flat.        -   Fruit apex.—Flat.        -   Fruit stem.—Length — 9 to 11 mm. Thickness — 3 to 4 mm.            Color — Light green, approximately 142B of the Green Group.        -   Fruit skin.—Generally considered medium or average in            thickness. Surface Texture — Light, short pubescence. Skin            Acidity — Considered neutral. Tenacious to Flesh — Yes at            commercial maturity. Tendency to Crack — Not observed. Skin            Color — Generally — Variable, with approximately 50-75% of            the fruit surface covered with an attractive red blush. Down            — Light and short Blush Color — Varying from deep to medium            red, approximately 47A and 53A of the Red Group, plus 59A of            the Red-Purple Group. Skin Ground Color — Varies from a            yellowish-green to medium yellow, approximately 2B, 9D and            10C-D of the Yellow Group.        -   Flesh color.—Light yellow, approximately 8D of the Yellow            Group, with small spots of red present (46A and 48A of the            Red Group).        -   Flesh fibers.—Present, numerous and lightly colored. These            fibers are present throughout the flesh.        -   Stone cavity color.—Ivory to pale yellow, approximately 13D            of the Yellow Group and 15D of the Yellow-Orange Group.        -   Flesh texture.—Generally, the flesh is considered firm at            commercial maturity.        -   Ripening.—Generally the fruit of the present variety ripens            evenly.        -   Flavor.—Considered very sweet flavor.        -   Aroma.—Pleasant and reasonably abundant.        -   Eating.—Generally considered very good to excellent.-   Stone:    -   -   Attachment.—Clingstone at commercial maturity.        -   Stone size.—Generally considered small. Length —            Approximately 14 to 15 mm. Width — Approximately 21 to            22 mm. Thickness — Approximately 19 to 20 mm.        -   Fibers.—Generally a few medium length fibers are attached            along the entire surface of the stone.        -   Stone form.—Flat        -   Stone base.—Very wide        -   Apex shape.—Very wide        -   Stone shape.—The stone normally flat.        -   Stone surface.—Surface Texture — A mixture of single pits            and pit grooves. Ridges — Numerous ridges are present            basally, and converge towards the base of the stone. Ventral            Edge — Small. Dorsal Edge — Shape — Grooved and having            smooth edges.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is light brown (20C            of the Yellow-Orange Group and 165D of the Greyed-Orange            Group). The color of the inside surface of the endocarp is            primarily 18B-C and 19C of the Yellow-Orange Group.        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting not observed.        -   Kernel.—The kernel does not fills the endocarp at harvest            and measures approximately 4-6 mm in thickness, 5-7 mm in            width, and 4-5 mm in length. When dried the shriveled            kernels measure approximately 1-2 mm in thickness, 6 mm in            width, and 3-5 mm in length. The colors of the shriveled            kernels are primarily 164A and 165B of the Greyed-Orange            Group. The dried seed of ‘Flat Delight One’ is not viable.-   Use: The subject variety, ‘Flat Delight One’, is considered to be a    peach tree of early mid-season maturity, which produces flat,    melting flesh, low acid, white-fleshed fruit which are firm,    attractively colored, and which are useful for the local fresh    market and home garden use.-   Keeping quality: Average.-   Resistance to insects and disease: It is moderately susceptible to    bacterial leaf spot spot [Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (E. F.    Smith) Dye]. No observations were made on susceptability nor    resistance to other diseases or insects.-   Shipping quality: Average.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing inthe medium chill zone of Texas, it will be understood that variations ofthe usual magnitude and characteristics incident to the changes ingrowing conditions, fertilization, pruning, and pest control are to beexpected.

REFERENCES

-   Anon. 2001. R.H.S. Colour Chart. The Royal Hort. Soc., London.-   Brooks, R. M. 1958. Double Delight, Earligold, and June Gold    peaches. Fruit Var. J. 3:22. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,884.-   Brooks, R. M. and H. P. Olmo. 1997. Register of New Fruit and Nut    Varieties. 3rd Edition. American Society of Horticultural Science    Press, Alexandria, Va.-   Byrne, D. H. and N. Anderson. 2013. TexFirst, an Early-ripening, low    chill peach for the subtropics. HortScience 47(2):1803-1804. U.S.    Plant Pat. No. 26,119.-   Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 1991. ‘TexRoyal’, a medium chilling    peach. HortScience 26(10):1338-1340.-   Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 2004. ‘TexKing’, an early ripening    medium chill peach. HortScience 39: 442-443. U.S. Plant Pat. No.    14,627. Mar. 23, 2004.-   Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 2004. ‘Texprince’, a mid season,    medium chill peach. HortScience 39(3):631-632. U.S. Plant Pat. No.    14,629. Mar. 23, 2004.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Prunus persica tree, substantially asillustrated and described herein.